You may remember that TalkLittle's hugely popular Reddit browser, Reddit is Fun, was banned from the Google Play Store about 2 weeks ago for "sexually explicit material," shortly after its substantial update to version 2.0. The banishment of Reddit is Fun caused quite a stir, primarily because Google's decision to ban the app seemed to be based on a vague policy regarding apps that give users the ability to find explicit material.

In a post to Reddit earlier this evening, TalkLittle announced that Reddit is Fun has finally been allowed back into the Play Store, after links to subreddits containing explicit material were removed.

TalkLittle also provided readers with a handy timeline of the events surrounding the app's banishment and eventual reinstatement:

It went like this:

Uploaded version 2.0 on March 11

Got email early Monday March 18 saying that the 2 apps were banned for violating the "sexually explicit material" clause of the Google Play content policy.

Based on a strict reading of the policy, looked like I wouldn't be able to get the apps up without basically uploading a brand new app from scratch, which would require me to refund everyone or leave all previous users in the dark.

I posted a Google+ thread which got the attention of some Google employees. Apparently some Google employees, who happened to use the app, had also escalated the issue internally.

I complied and also gathered some documentation and submitted on Tuesday March 24, last week.

Heard back an hour ago today April 2 that it was reinstated.

The fact that TalkLittle's apps were ostensibly reinstated only because Google employees caught wind of the story has also raised questions about the strength of Google's support for app developers. While, in TalkLittle's own words, "it's a tricky situation," the story of Reddit is Fun's banishment has certainly brought attention to Google's Play Store policies, and may indeed have a lasting impact.

Comments

In their hiatus, I tried out some other Reddit apps, and discovered Reddit News. I love everything about it, except the name. I'm glad to see it back on the market!

Norbert

i both have the paid version of rif golden platinum and reddit news. while reddit news is good i still find it bloated compared to rif. i'm glad rif is back! i like the ics compatibitily and the minimalism of rif.

Benjamen

They should ban Chrome and other browsing apps because they are the most NFSW i have found.

http://www.AndroidPolice.com Artem Russakovskii

We had a really good discussion about why this is not the case on this podcast - give it a listen if you have time.

http://www.androidapphighlights.com Leif

It's just about the majurity settings they choose. Look for example at redditmag who did it right and set it to "high maturity". Reddit is fun decided to go for medium (again)

The developer interface explains it pretty easy.

"Apps that include suggestive or sexual references must be rated "Medium maturity" or "High maturity." Apps that focus on suggestive or sexual references must be rated "High maturity.""

A NSFW Stream in the link menu is some kind of focus on such stuff so he would have been fine if he would have deciced to go for high maturity.